Dominican Republic announces US$20 million investment for higher education in tourism

30-04-24

The government of the Dominican Republic has announced a significant investment of US$20 million for the establishment of a new higher education institution specializing in tourism, located in Punta Cana, one of the country's most renowned tourist destinations. This initiative, presented by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, at the DATE 2024 international fair, represents a strategic step towards the strengthening and professionalization of the Dominican tourism sector.

The future school, which will be built on land donated by the Puntacana Group, aspires to be a center of excellence in the training of qualified professionals for the tourism industry. From waiters to department managers, the institution will offer a diverse range of programs and courses designed to cover all levels of the tourism service chain.

In his remarks, Minister Collado emphasized the importance of this investment not only as a means to improve the quality of service in the sector, but also as a strategy to foster sustainable tourism. "I am determined to leave that legacy as Minister of Tourism," he said, highlighting the commitment to sustainability and service excellence.

In addition, the minister revealed that the creation of this school will be carried out in collaboration with international franchises and companies that already have extensive experience in the tourism education field. This public-private partnership seeks to ensure that the study programs are aligned with international standards and adapted to the current and future needs of the tourism sector.

The decision to opt for a college rather than a university, as previously proposed in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (now known as UN Tourism), responds to a more inclusive and practical strategy that will enable the training of personnel from various ranks within the hotel and tourism industry.

This project not only promises to transform the educational and professional landscape of Punta Cana, but also projects itself as a model to follow in the region, setting new standards of training in one of the most vital sectors for the Dominican economy. With this school, the Dominican Republic positions itself as a leader in tourism education in the Caribbean, with the potential to positively influence the quality of tourism and the local economy in a substantial and lasting way.